Ankle Flexi System for Soccer shoes, Football shoes, Baseball Shoes, Speed skates skateboard, Ice skates and Hockey shoes.

ABSTRACT

The ankle flexi system consisted of a specific flexible construction that integrates the lower and upper part of the shoe using an innovative area of free movement. This allows the user a full range movement capacity of the foot (ankle area) without limiting mobility and performance on the practice of sports. On the upper area, the system is formed by a material base form that provides protection to both sides of the ankle join against impacts and is connected to the lower part using a flexible membrane or material, which works as a pivot point for the range of movement of the foot. The system innovative construction provides a solution to a foreseeing problem of the injuries cause by impact forces, objects or kicks, directly impacting the ankle area, during practice of contact sports and respecting the flexibility of movement necessary to keep high performance of players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The actual footwear invention provides a solution to improve the performance of speed by athletes in the practice of contact sports and avoids or prevents at the same time a variety of injuries in the ankle region.

The Ankle flexi system brings a solution the avoid the loss of flexibility and performance in terms of players speed, in the ankle area; meanwhile provides protection to reduce the amount of injuries presented in the ankle region as a result from direct impacts, frictions or kicks over the foot. The flexi system allows players to have high performance on the running time, using a more flexible system, which could absorb at the same time direct impacts on its own surface and absorbs it and distribute equally over a wider area, preventing the player from leaving the game field as a result from been injured. Therefore the injuries will be prevented or have less dramatic consequences on the ankle area where the impacts happen to be. The advantages are: the player can stay playing over longer periods of time, avoiding, short, middle or long time recovery from injuries. The players can move faster and perform better results on the game. There are not proposed designs in the market place that approach the protection of this area without losing performance on the speed of the players. A complete closed shoe boot, reduce the performance and velocity of players, limiting the mobility of the ankle region. Modern contact sports short boots or sport shoes do not provide protection to the ankle join.

The Ankle Flexi system presents an innovation on this respect, because thanks to its innovative area of free movement, the player can still move freely the ankle region, without reducing the speed performance and still having a system that protects the ankle region area against direct impacts.

Most of the related products especially in therapy, which do not address problems in the sport field, only approach the problem of ankle support or protection after injuries happens, where the majority of injuries lays on ankle sprains itself. Another variations or protective systems on this respect, offers protection independently, using and integrated hard shell in a closed boot or like the shin guards used in football or soccer, but they are not integrated with the shoe itself and sometimes ad discomfort to the player.

In the practice of sports such as Soccer, Football and Baseball there are considerable injuries including fractures, micro-fractures, open cuts in the skin, abrasions, bruises, lacerations or swollen in the ankle region as a result of impacts with other athletes and fast moving objects. Also in practice of Sports like speed skating, skateboard and ice skating considerable injuries (open cuts, lacerations, etc) are also produced in the ankle region most of the time for friction against pavement, ice, metal, impacts with solid objects, even though these sports are not in the category of contact sports, but still requires an integrated system that offers full flexibility of the ankle region. Here lays the advantage of the proposed design, which provides flexibility on the ankle region without losing performance and protecting the ankle area against impacts, all in one integral system. A new invention in the sport field is needed to reduce ankle injuries in athletes and youngsters. The innovative ankle flexi system addresses this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible system for athletes in contact sports and others, which allows them to keep on high performance in terms of speed and help them to avoid or reduce the risk of injuries, fractures or others in the ankle region. Injuries, that, are mostly produced, as the result of direct impacts from sharp objects, friction or produced by kicks of other players into the ankle area. The system allows players full free mobility, without limiting their performance and offers extra protection that helps to absorb the kinetic energy from the impacts on the ankle's surface. Closed boots shoes used in practice of contact sports reduces the free range of mobility on the ankle area of players, decreasing their speed and general performance.

Therefore, an integrated construction for sport shoes, that, permits free movement of the foot, especially in contact sports brings an answer to the problem.

The ankle flexi system is formed by an integrated construction of the lower and upper part of the shoe that uses an area of free movement to provide amplitude of movement without limiting performance. On the upper area, the system is formed by a material base form that provides protection to both sides of ankle region against impacts. The upper segment is connected to the lower segment using a flexible membrane or material, which works as a pivot point for the full range of movement of the foot.

DRAWINGS PAGE PLACEMENT

Page 1. System Side view and cut view of the system. (version 1.)

Page 2. System Side view and cut view of the system with hard shell.

Page 3. System Rear view. System Front view

Page 4. System Side view with (version 2), Letter E

Page 5. System Perspective view. (version 2)

Page 6. System Top view and Top view of external impact influences

Page 7. System Side view with (version 3), Letter H

Page 8. Side view with (version 4), Letter A

Page 9. System Perspective view with (version 4), Letter A

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ankle flexi system consisted of a specific flexible construction that integrates the lower and upper part of the shoe using an innovative area of free movement. This allows the user a full movement range capacity of the foot without limiting mobility and performance on the practice of sports. On the upper part of the shoe, the system is formed by material base form, that provides protection and absorption against impacts in both sides of the ankle join and are connected to the lower part of the shoe using a flexible membrane or material, which works as a pivot point for the range of movement of the ankle foot. The position of the area of free movement is always placed horizontally to the pivot points and the flexible membrane or material, which is structured in ribs or rows construction.

The system upper part absorbs the kinetic energy of the impacts and distributes it equally over its surface using a variety of layered materials or a single Gel or Air capsule. The energy can be better absorbed using a stitched attachable protective hard material convex shell, but is not essential. Additionally the upper part material base form of the shoe can have a stabilizing element extension, in both sides of the ankle to give balance support, which attaches to the lower shoe section with a grip system, click or other.

The system is hold together to the foot using a strap, leather, textile, elastic band or (Velcro band, hook and loop fastener) or other, that is integrated or stitched to a material base form and provides adjustment to the system, adaptability of comfort and wraps around the Tibia and Fibula bones closing the system grip and stability.

The System mimics the natural free movements of the ankle region (eversion) (inversion) (dorsiflexion)and Plantar flexion, thanks to his area of free movement, which is accompanied by a flexible membrane or material. The System is designed to integrate with sport shoes as a whole.

The material base form covers and protects both sides of the athlete's ankle (specifically the fibular lateral Malleolar, the Tibial medial Malleolar articulations and Talofibula ligaments) against impacts produced during the practice specific of sports such as Soccer, Football, Baseball, Hockey, Skateboard and Skating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Page 1

FIG. 1.

A. Ankle Flexi system (Material Cut)

B. Flexible Membrane, Movement Parameters.

C. A (Nylon, textile, leather or other material) strap, Elastic Band or Velcro (hook and loop fastener) holds the System in Position

PP. Pivot Point

FIG. 2.

Version.1A—1. Material base form,—2. A single Gel or Air capsule,—3. textile fabric

Page 2

FIG. 3.

A. Protection hard shell for the ankle (Material Cut)

B. Flexible Membrane, Movement Parameters.

C. A (Nylon, textile, leather or other material) strap, Elastic Band or Velcro (hook and loop fastener) holds the System in Position

PP. Pivot Point

FIG. 4.

Version.2A. 1. Protective hard material convex shell, 2. Textile fabric or leather 3. Eva+cushion foam, 4. Gel or Air Capsule, 5. Cushioned textile fabric.

FIG. 5.

Version.3A. 1. Protective hard material convex shell, 2. Textile fabric or leather, 3. Eva +cushion foam, 4. Cushioned textile fabric.

Page 3

FIG. 6

-   -   A. Rear View. Protective hard material convex shell for the         ankle in both sides.     -   B. Rear View. Flexible Menbrane

FIG. 7

-   -   PP Rear View. Second version of the system without the flexible         membrane. The system keeps movement parameters with two pivots         points PP.

FIG. 8

-   -   C. Front View. Strap attachment, Elastic Band or Velcro (hook         and loop fastener) holds the system in Position and ensures a         stable grip around the ankle.

Page 4

FIG. 9

A. Ankle Flexi system with hard material convex shell (hard material)

B. Flexible membrane is the join element between upper part and lower part of the shoe. (Foam, flexi plastic formula, leather, silicon, textile or rubber)

C. The strap wraps around the ankle to ensure stability.

D. Material base form that put together all elements (Nylon, Polyester, Leather, Textile fabrics)

E. Area of free movement. Version 2

Page 5

FIG. 10

A. Perspective View ¾ front. Closing system functionality

FIG. 11

B. Perspective View ¾ rear. Closing system functionality

Page 6

FIG. 12

A. Top View. The Ankle Flexi system with hard material convex shells, guards the ankle from different attack angles.

B. The Velcro Straps guarantee a stable holding to the ankle join.

FIG. 13

C. The Ankle Flexi system guards the ankle from impacts, kicks or objects coming from different directions.

Page 7

FIG. 14

The Ankle Flexi system. Side view. Version 3.

B. Strap attachment, Elastic Band or Velcro (hook and loop fastener) guarantee a stable holding to the ankle position.

C. Material base form (Nylon, Polyester, Leather, Textile fabrics) that integrates all elements of system.

D. Cushioned material for comfort in the Achilles tendon area.

E. Area of free movement.

F. Stabilizing element extension, guarantees balance support.

G. Flexible material connects and works as a pivot point. PP

FIG. 15

F. Detail view. The stabilizing element extension, guarantees balance support. (Velcro, grip material or click system used for attachment).

Page 8

FIG. 16

A. The Ankle Flexi system. Side View. (Version 4) with hard cover shell. Functionality

B. Strap attachment, Elastic Band or Velcro (hook and loop fastener) guarantee a stable holding to the ankle position.

C. Material base form (Nylon, Polyester, Leather, Textiles fabrics) that integrates all elements of system

D. Cushioned material for comfort in the Achilles tendon area.

E. Area of free movement.

F. Stabilizing element extension, guarantees balance support.

G. Flexible material connects and works as a pivot point. PP

FIG. 17

F. Detail of stabilizing element extension, guarantees balance support. (Velcro, grip material or click system used for attachment).

Page 9

FIG. 18

The Ankle Flexi system .Perspective ¾ front View. Functionality with all elements that integrates the system.

A—plastic shield, B—Strap attachment, C—material base form, D—Cushioned material for comfort, E—area of free movement, F—Stabilizing element extension, G—Flexible material connects the upper part of the shoe with the lower part, PP—pivot point placement.

FIG. 19

F—Functionality of the stabilizing element extension. Attachment.

FIG. 20

B. Detailed Functionality ¾ View. Strap attachment closing system. 

1. An article of footwear, which upper segment flexes over the shoe lower segment using an area of free movement, and a pivot point; and is connected to a flexible membrane or material and extends parallel from the front to the rear of the shoe upper segment covering both ankles (Version 3) comprising the following basic elements: an area of free movement that provides maximum flexibility through the use of free space between the upper segment and the lower shoe segment, which is situated between the strap and the lower shoe segment, allowing the maximum freedom of movements in the ankle area in the practice of contact sports; Page 1,2,4 (E) Page 7,8,9 (H) a material base form (leather, textile fabric or other), which covers both sides of the ankle and can have a variety of layered materials under the main surface material or a single gel capsule, having additionally integrated on the material base form a stabilizing element extension F, positioned under the ankle bone to give balance support, which attaches to the lower shoe section (Version 3) Page
 7. an integrated (leather, nylon, textile, plastic or other material) strap construction that extends from the material base form and connects both ankle sides, meeting either in a central back of the foot, specifically above the Achilles tendon area, which adjust, tight up or liberates the construction; Page 7 a flexible membrane or material, where flexible membrane or material is structured in ribs or rows and possesses a pivot point. Page 1, 2,3 (B) Page 7 (G)
 2. Footwear ankle Flexi system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 a lower and upper segments, position characteristics: Where the upper segment flexes over the shoe lower segment using an area of free movement, a pivot point; and is connected to a flexible membrane placed over Achilles tendon ankle area and extends from the back to the front of the shoe upper segment covering both ankles and close with an integrated strap above or the anterior tibiofibular ligaments or talar dome. Page 1 (Version 1)
 3. Footwear ankle Flexi system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 a lower and upper segments, position characteristics: Where the upper segment flexes over the shoe lower segment using an area of free movement, a pivot point and is connected to a flexible membrane or material placed over the instep, which extends from the front of the shoe to the upper segment covering both ankles and close with an integrated strap above the Achilles tendon area. Page 7 (Version 3)
 4. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein construction possibilities can be used to form a new variation of the system on the basis of the elements mention in claim one, their combination or subtraction.
 5. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 a lower and upper segments, position characteristics: An area of free movement situated between the upper shoe segment and the lower shoe segment that allows foot maximum flexibility in the ankle and Achilles tendon area. Page 1 and
 7. 6. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1, construction form characteristics: A material base form (made of Nylon, Polyester, Leader, textile fabric or other material), that integrates in one piece and hold together all elements of the system, mention in claim one. Page 1
 7. A footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 material base form construction characteristics: A protection hard material convex shell made of one or a variety of hard materials (ABC, Kevlar, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, metal, resins, or others) with a variety of cushioning materials layers underneath stitched, thermo-fusioned or glued to a base material base form. Page 2,4,5,8,9
 8. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 material base form construction characteristics: A stabilizing element extension F, that is integrated to material base form, upper section, positioned under the ankle bone, laterally in both ankle sides, and attaches to the lower section of the shoe. Page 7
 9. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 basic elements, construction form characteristics: A (Nylon, textile, leather or other material) strap specific construction form, which is integrated to the system material base form, and is able to adjust, fight up or liberates the construction, where the strap its integrated to the upper segment of the shoe as a whole single element. Page 1,5,7,9
 10. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 basic elements, construction form characteristics: A (Nylon, Polyester, textile, leather or other material) strap which adjust, tight up or liberates the system, which is integrated to the system material base form as one piece and covers both ankle sides, meeting at the front of the foot over the anterior tibiofibular ligaments, wrapping around the tibia and Fibula bones. (C) Page 1
 11. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 basic elements, construction form characteristics: A (Nylon, Polyester, textile, leather or other material) strap which adjust, tight up or liberates the system, which is integrated to the system material base form as one piece and covers both ankle sides, meeting at back of the foot, specifically above the Achilles tendon area. (B) Page 7,8,9.
 12. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 basic element, construction form characteristics: A flexible membrane B, placed over the Achilles tendon area, constructed with ribs sub-divisions that have the function of working together with a pivot point (PP) and the area of free movement. Page 1,2,3.
 13. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 basic element, construction form characteristics: A flexible membrane or material (G), where the flexible membrane or material is structured in ribs or rows and possess a pivot point (PP) placed either at rear near the Achilles tendon area (B) or at the front over a flexible membrane or material (G), connecting the upper shoe section with the lower shoe section. Page 1 and 6, respectively.
 14. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 basic element, construction form characteristics: A flexible membrane (B) construction form with ribs sub-divisions made with one or a combination of material layers (flexi plastic formula, rubber, silicones, cushioned foams, textile fibers, leader or others) that have the function of working together with a pivot point and the area of free movement. Page 1,2,3.
 15. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 material base form construction characteristics: A material base form (leather, polyester, nylon, textile fabric or other), which covers both sides of the ankle and can have a variety of cushion layered materials, as well as be covered on the exterior by two hard material convex shells placed over each side of the ankle, having also integrated on the material base a stabilizing element extension F, positioned under the ankle bone to give balance support, which attaches to the lower shoe section. Page 8,9.
 16. Footwear ankle Protection system recited in claim 1, wherein according to claim 1 material base form construction characteristics: A material base form (leather, polyester, nylon, textile fabric or other), which covers both sides of the ankle, additionally having under material base a single Gel or Air capsule, which provides protection to ankle join against impacts and is connected to the lower segment of the shoe with a flexible membrane and a pivot point. Page
 1. 